Page 59 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
Sweet? Her? Was she? Emily considered the idea. She wanted to be sweet. Wanted others to see her that way. Wantedto feel that way within herself. But maybe she was something else.
She chased away the troublesome doubts. Today, she would simply enjoy being Miss Emily Smith.
A conveyance stopped at the front of the house. Emily stilled her urge to run to the other room and see if Jesse had returned. She waited, her excitement growing as his footsteps thudded on the steps and the door opened.
“I believe your ride has arrived,” Gram said with a degree of amusement.
Jesse entered the kitchen. “All set.”
Emily hoped no one noticed the slight trembling of her hands as she placed a borrowed bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons.
He held out his elbow. “Shall we go?”
She took his offered arm.
“Have a good time,” Gram said.
They stepped out into the bright summer sunshine. Jesse had rented a buggy pulled by a black horse with four white stockings. From a nearby tree, a robin sang. Surely, it meant they were going to have a wonderful day.
Her heart was as light as the air around her. She took Jesse’s hand and held it firmly as he helped her into the seat, his other hand light upon her waist.
He climbed up beside her and smiled. “Let’s go have a good day.” His dark eyes held hers, promising her so much more than she could accept.
But today, she would take whatever came her way with a full heart. Tomorrow, she would deal with the facts of her life.
He flicked the reins, and they drove away from town. Soon, they were alone on the trail. They turned to the west. Pink, orange, purple, and blue flowers dotted the grassy slopes.The trail climbed and trees grew more abundantly...dark green spruce and pine among the deciduous trees.
She leaned back and let the peace of her surroundings ease through her. Except for one nagging thought. “If I get my memory back, will I forget all this?” She meant far more than the passing scenery. Would she remember the days she’d spent at Bella Creek? Would she remember Jesse and his grandmother?
Jesse didn’t immediately answer. He stared over the horse’s head.
“I don’t want to forget.” Her voice grated from her tight throat.
He brought his gaze to her, his eyes dark and, if she read correctly, troubled. “I know it’s a possibility. All I can say is—let’s make the memory as bright and happy as we can, so you will recall the feeling even if you can’t recall the event.”
“That makes sense.” Just as she could now recall the emotions of her past but not the events. “I like that.”
He squeezed her hand. “Me, too.”
Their gazes held for several more turns of the wheels, silently promising each other a good day with no regrets. And if a little voice whispered a warning in the back of her mind, Emily simply ignored it.
The trail grew steeper and narrower. A breeze blew in their faces. She turned her head toward a deep rumbling sound. “Do I hear the waterfalls?”
He chuckled. “I believe you do. It’s not far now.” They continued to a small clearing where he stopped.
She looked about. She could hear the roar of the falls but couldn’t see them.
He set the brake and jumped down, coming round to help her to the ground.
The sound of rushing water echoed in her heart, stirring unfamiliar longings. She wanted to know who she was so she could move forward.
She willingly forgot her inner turmoil as Jesse took her hand and led her up a rocky incline. Through the trees, she saw foaming water and leaned forward hoping for a glimpse of the falls. One foot slipped.
“Emily.” Jesse pulled her back, his eyes wide. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Pleased at his concern, she grinned. “I can always count on you to rescue me.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I prefer it not become a habit.” He led her back toward the buggy. “We’ll follow that trail.” He pointed out a barely-there path through the trees, so narrow they must go singly. But he reached back and took her hand as the path grew rocky.
